Spinal Traction: Reducing Pain Through Movement

At a glance, spinal traction may look like a form of medieval torture.
But, while at first, it may seem strange, the relief it can help provide is
remarkable. Spinal traction offers relief from neck and back pain by reducing
the pressure on spinal discs and nerves. Many people use spinal traction as a
way to enhance the results they receive with their care in our practice.

Why it Matters:

Spinal traction is a form of decompression
that is used to treat conditions such as herniated discs, sciatica, pinched
nerves, and degenerative disc disease. Traction devices typically use a small
force (manual or mechanical) to draw two spinal bones, or vertebrae, away from
each other. The increased space between the bones can reduce the pressure in
the disc and on the spinal nerves. Traction usually takes less than 30 minutes
and is an excellent way to provide relief from pinched nerves and many types of
disc herniations.

Spinal traction has been shown to be effective at reducing
the pain associated with pinched nerves and herniated discs.

Traction can help promote the movement of water, oxygen, and
nutrients into the discs to assist with healing.

New studies have shown improvements in range of motion,
decreases in pain, and reductions in the size of disc herniations after
traction.

Next Steps:

Not everyone is a good candidate for spinal traction. If you have
osteoporosis or are pregnant, traction may not be the right choice for you.
Call us today to learn more and discover if traction may benefit you on your
road to relief.

Science Source:

Effects of segmental traction therapy on
lumbar disc herniation in patients with acute low back pain measured by
magnetic resonance imaging: A single arm clinical trial. Journal of Back and
Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation 2017